Batting Scrap Challenge - Project 2

A few weeks ago I started a challenge project to use batting scraps as inspiration for a project or two. I thought it would be creatively inspiring to think outside of the box and turn trash into treasure. So far no one has decided to join my challenge that I am aware of. If I am wrong let me know! Leave a comment on any batting scrap challenge post and let me know what you're up to.

I mentioned in the original post that there would be perks involved for those who decide to participate. I've decided to give away at least one of my batting scrap challenge projects to a lucky winner. To win, you must join in the challenge fun! Each project you complete with batting scraps will earn you a chance at winning one of mine. Go to the Batting Scrap Challenge page and leave a comment saying you're going to join in the fun and follow the challenge instructions.

My first project was a nifty book cover perfect for mass market paperback books:

Tonight I made another book cover from scraps of fabric and batting. The fabrics on the front of the cover are leftovers from Matt's I Do quilt and the batting and solid fabric on the inside of the cover are from one of the wedding attendant quilts (ignore the lint lol):

I also made a new pin cushion from Amy Butler Love selvages leftover from my Love Pinwheels quilt:

I was trying to make something with piping like this pincushion:

By Cindy at aroundtheblockdesigns.blogspot.com

But....I had to cut the piping off....it was bad. I had a lot of fun working with selvages though! I find it fascinating that something I've always thought should be thrown away can look so cool.

The pincushion and second book cover will also be up for grabs for a lucky winner of the Batting Scrap Challenge so get started on your own projects for your chance to win. Every project you share will be a chance to win any of my projects!

Happy Quilting!

Why I'm Trying to Go Modern

Let me preface this post by first saying that I think traditional quilts and art quilts are absolutely gorgeous. I love going to quilt shows, reading quilt books, and surfing the web to see the beautiful work people have done in both categories and I definitely want to try my hand at both! Nothing in this post is intended to diminish or in any way criticize those quilting styles. That being said...

A few weeks ago I decided Northern Virginia needed a Modern Quilt Guild option. Why? I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but I just didn't think I would fit in with the quilt guilds in my area. My concern is that my lifestyle, availability, interests, age, fabric selections, and design style would be so different from others in more traditional guilds that I wouldn't feel as rich of a connection as I would with people who are like me and therefore not enjoy my experience as much.

• I work all the time. I often work late nights, early mornings, and on weekends too. I never really know what my schedule is going to look like
• I can't go to workshops or meetings in the middle of the day during the work week (because I'm working) 
• I am 27 (happy birthday to me!) so much younger than most of the quilters I know
• I'm drawn to fabric designers like Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, Heather Bailey, Lizzy House, Anna Maria Horner, and Kona Solids 
• I'm drawn to patterns by Cherri House, Denyse Schmidt, Amy Butler, and I also like making my own up because I like figuring things out for myself and learn better from mistakes than instructions
• Quilting is something I love to do but it's not my only hobby. I also like to read, play xBox, wii, nintendo ds, and computer games, entertain friends and family (dinner, drinks, board games, etc), play with Lucy, take pictures, scrapbook, travel, decorate, draw, paint, and make jewelry (Lovie and Boo).
• I've only been sewing since December 2008

I really like the concept of quilting as a stool with 3 legs: traditional, art, and modern. Modern quilting encompass the basic materials and techniques of traditional quilt making with the bend-and-break the rules approach of art quilting. While many traditional quilt guilds in my area have members who's work falls into the modern category, there isn't a guild in my area that primarily embraces that aesthetic. So I started one!

Some cool things I've learned so far:

• you can create a free website on webs.com but if you pay extra you get more features
• you can create a cool web toolbar icon at favicon

You're here so you have probably seen some of my quilts here, here, here, here, other stuff here and here and like my style. While I wouldn't totally put me in the "modern" category looking at those examples, consider that my stash is filled with more modern fabrics I just haven't cut into yet because my life is crazy and because I haven't figured out what I want to do with them yet. I do love batiks which probably makes me a traitor to the modern movement but they are just sooooooo so pretty.

I recently updated the home page with lots of information about Modern quilting so if you are interested go check it out. If you find yourself agreeing with the comments and "buzz", live in the Northern Virginia area (or surrounding area), and want to join just apply through the web!

Happy Quilting!

p.s. - I'm working on a batting scrap project tonight!

Threaded Mess Challenge Project: Batting Scraps

Hi Readers and Followers!

One of the things I have wanted to do with my blog are challenge projects where all of us would work on something theme related together. Guess what?? I have a challenge project for you!

Nancy over at Patchwork Penguin, who might I add is the first official NOVA Modern Quilt Guild member besides myself (sweet!), recently posted about not knowing what to do with batting scraps and inspired this challenge project. This is what her batting scrap stash looks like:

picture taken from Nancy's blog

Here's my stash:

My problem is that I rarely follow a pattern or have one to begin with. I don't take the time to plan things out on paper often and I don't always stick to whatever planning I have done. The pinwheel quilt is a great example of that! I started making the pinwheels, I had some fat quarters so I decided to border the pinwheels, I liked them so much I wanted more so I made more pinwheels and strips for borders, I've changed my design several times and still haven't decided which one I like best, and I have to figure out how to make it big enough for my guest bedroom bed. It started out as a lap quilt and now it has more than doubled that size. When I ultimately finish my quilt top I will likely have to get a batting that doesn't fit my top perfectly which means I am going to have some scraps. So where does the challenge come in? Well...

I challenge YOU, Readers and Followers, to join me in creating something from batting scraps.

How this works:

1. Become a follower. There will be perks involved (hint, hint). If you already are, skip this step (and thanks for following!!). To follow, click the "follow" button on the right side of my blog.
2. Leave a comment on this post letting me know you're going to participate in the challenge.
3. Grab this button and put it on your website (if you have one)

 
Rules:

• You must use scraps of batting (no new batting) for this project. If you don't have any, ask a friend (and get your friend involved too!).
• You must create something you or someone else can use i.e. a finished product that can be hung, wrapped, pinned, stuffed, covered, snuggled, tossed, or otherwise used and loved. 
• You must take pictures as you make your batting scrap project.
• You must send me those pictures once you're done and tell us how you made it. 

I will be showing off my favorites on this blog (with your permission of course). If you want you can add them to the Threaded Mess flickr group or send them to me by email at threadedmess(at)gmail(dot)com.

I don't know about you but I work better with a deadline so let's say that all challenge projects must be submitted by October 3rd (that's 2 months!) which should give you plenty of time to participate even if you don't get to sew very often. 

1,2,3, go!

Happy Quilting!

p.s.- future challenge project hints: save your scraps! save your selvages! save your strips!